Overview:
Chasing 205 runs to win, the southpaw was unstoppable and didn't allow the English bowlers to settle down, amassing 123 runs off 83 deliveries, laced with 16 fours and four sixes.
Travis Head single-handedly led Australia to an eight-wicket win in the first Ashes Test against England at the Optus Stadium. Chasing 205 runs to win, the southpaw was unstoppable and didn’t allow the English bowlers to settle down, amassing 123 runs off 83 deliveries, laced with 16 fours and four sixes. The match finished in just 2 days courtesy of Head’s magnificent batting and the third fastest ton in the Ashes. He was promoted to open the innings in place of the injured Usman Khawaja.
“I don’t think I would have scored a hundred after what happened in the first two innings. It is a good start against a seriously good outfit, and Starcy led us. I am not even close to his performance, and I am happy to contribute to the team. England bowled short-pitched, and they had their plans. I knew what they would bring. Nice to play a role,” Travis Head said.
Head shared a 75-run stand with Jake Weatherald, who accumulated 23 runs.
“It is a lovely start, and it was the captain and coach who allowed me to open the innings. I could have been out in the first over, but I went in the middle and decided to see what happened. We have won the first game, and that will set the tone for the remaining matches,” he added.
The real push came when Marnus Labuschagne joined the Australian opener in the middle after the dismissal of the debutant. He scored an unbeaten 51 runs off 49 balls, laced with 6 boundaries and 1 six. The two added 117 runs for the second wicket.
“We are now looking forward to Brisbane, but what a start for us. I tried to hit the breeze. England is a seriously good bowling outfit. I have a couple of 90s here; I got 99, so I wasted a couple of chances to score hundreds. But it’s a lovely place to bat. It is a great moment for us, but I’m no good at getting red ink. I will try to get off the field as quickly as I can. We’ll celebrate as it’s an Ashes series, we’re 1-0 up,” he concluded.
England managed 172 & 164 across two innings, while Australia posted 132 & 205/2.